If you are looking for the ultimate summer drink, these watermelon cocktails are it. There is nothing more refreshing than fresh watermelon juice in a cocktail on a hot day. Whether you are hosting a backyard barbecue, a pool party, or just want a fruity drink to wind down with, a watermelon cocktail delivers every single time.
You'll love these watermelon cocktails
- They are easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
- Fresh watermelon juice takes your cocktails to a whole new level.
- They are naturally sweet, so you do not need a lot of added sugar.
- They are perfect for a crowd, since most can be made in a big pitcher.
- They are versatile. Swap the spirit, change the mixer, and you have an entirely new drink.
The Best Watermelon Cocktails
These are all sweet, bright, and perfect for the summer! The best part? Fresh watermelon juice is incredibly easy to make at home, and once you have it, the cocktail possibilities are truly endless. From a simple watermelon margarita to a watermelon vodka lemonade, there is a watermelon drink recipe here for every occasion.
Who doesn't love watermelon season? It's the best when you get perfectly ripe watermelons. As much as I love snacking on watermelon, fresh watermelon juice makes for some of the best summer cocktails. Let's make this watermelon gin cocktail that you'll love sipping all season long.
This watermelon tequila spritzer recipe is so refreshing and the perfect summer tequila cocktail. Plus, there are so many fun variations that are perfect for any occasion.
Who doesn't love watermelon season? It's the best when you get perfectly ripe watermelons. As much as I love snacking on watermelon, fresh watermelon juice makes for some of the best summer cocktails. Let's make this watermelon gin cocktail that you'll love sipping all season long.
If your TikTok FYP is like mine, you've seen the spicy rosé trend going around. However, we are going to upgrade it a bit to make this spicy rosé margarita. It is such a refreshing rosé wine cocktail!
This watermelon basil cocktail is so refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day. With fresh watermelon juice and basil from the garden, you'll love making this easy vodka cocktail.
This Watermelon Moscow Mule is the perfect light and refreshing cocktail to enjoy on those long, hot and humid summer nights!
Sweet, tart, and fresh—my Watermelon Sour Cocktail mixes muddled watermelon, tequila, lime, and simple syrup for a bold, juicy summer sip.
Watermelon Rum Punch is refreshingly fruity and delightfully sweet, this is one of my favourite summer drinks, perfect for barbecues!
This Frozen Watermelon Daiquiri recipe is thick, slushy, and made with fresh ingredients. An easy blender cocktail for summer entertaining.
This simple Watermelon Frose recipe is going to be the perfect refreshing summer drink you need! Just pop everything into the blender!
These fresh watermelon mimosas are the perfect vegan summer cocktail! Light, refreshing & easy to make, Sunday brunch will never be the same.
The taste of summer in a scrumptious white rum cocktail; Watermelon Mojitos! Easy to whip up and share. Single serve and pitcher ready!
What is the best way to juice a watermelon?
Before you can make any of these watermelon cocktail recipes, you need to know how to get that gorgeous, fresh watermelon juice. Good news: it is way easier than you might think.
Step 1: Pick a ripe watermelon. The sweeter your watermelon, the better your watermelon cocktails will taste. Look for a watermelon that feels heavy for its size and has a creamy yellow spot on the bottom, which means it ripened on the vine.
Step 2: Cut and cube. Slice your watermelon into chunks, removing the rind. You do not need to remove every single seed, but the fewer seeds the better.
Step 3: Blend it. Add your watermelon chunks to a blender and blend until smooth. It blends fast since watermelon is mostly water!
Step 4: Strain. Pour the blended watermelon through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl or pitcher. Press the pulp down to get as much juice out as possible. This step is optional if you do not mind a little texture, but straining gives you a much cleaner juice for cocktails.
Step 5: Chill. Store your fresh watermelon juice in the fridge until you are ready to make cocktails. It keeps well for about three days.
Pro tips for juicing watermelon
- A small personal watermelon (about 4 to 5 pounds) yields roughly 4 cups of juice, which is perfect for a pitcher of cocktails.
- If you want to save time, you can buy bottled or pre-pressed watermelon juice at most grocery stores during the summer months.
- For an even more concentrated watermelon flavor, freeze the juice into ice cubes and add them to your cocktails so they never get watered down.
What are some flavor combinations with watermelon drinks?
Watermelon is one of the most versatile fruits to use in cocktails because it plays well with so many other flavors. Here are some of the best flavor pairings for your watermelon drinks.
Watermelon and Tequila (Watermelon Margarita). This is probably the most popular watermelon cocktail pairing out there, and for good reason. The earthy, slightly smoky flavor of tequila is a perfect match for sweet watermelon juice. Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a salted rim and you have a watermelon margarita that will become your go-to summer drink. You can also add a splash of triple sec for a touch of orange flavor.
Watermelon and Vodka. Vodka lets the watermelon flavor really shine since it does not have a strong flavor of its own. A watermelon vodka lemonade is one of the easiest and most crowd-pleasing watermelon cocktail recipes you can make. It is bright, tangy, and perfectly balanced. For a sparkling twist, swap the lemonade for sparkling water or lemon-lime soda.
Watermelon and Rum. Watermelon and rum are a match made in tropical drink heaven. Light rum keeps things sweet and refreshing, while dark rum adds a deeper, molasses-like richness to your watermelon cocktail. Add fresh mint and lime juice and you basically have a watermelon mojito.
Watermelon and Gin. If you love botanical, herby cocktails, watermelon and gin is a combination you absolutely have to try. The juniper and floral notes in gin complement the fresh, fruity sweetness of watermelon beautifully. Add a splash of elderflower liqueur and a sprig of fresh basil to take this one over the top.
Watermelon and Herbs. Fresh mint is one of the best herbs to pair with watermelon drinks, whether you are adding it as a garnish or muddling it directly into your cocktail. I also love pairing fresh basil with watermelon, too! The slight sweetness of basil brings such a fun flavor when paired with the watermelon.
What to serve with these watermelon cocktails
You can never ever go wrong with a charcuterie board if you're looking to snack and sip. If you really want to lean into the summer and basil vibes, you can make this easy pesto gnocchi recipe.
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